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The aim of this work was to provide an overview of available information on the antibacterial and antifungal properties of Epilobium angustifolium extracts. A literature search of Scopus, PubMed/Medline, and Google Scholar for peer-reviewed articles published between January 2000 and June 2023 was undertaken. A total of 23 studies were eligible for inclusion in this review. Significant variation of antimicrobial activity depending on the tested species and strains, type of extract solvent, or plant organs utilized for the extract preparation was found. E. angustifolium extracts were active against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and showed antimycotic effects against the fungi of Microsporum canis and Trichophyton tonsurans and the dermatophytes Arthroderma spp. Greater susceptibility of Gram-positive than Gram-negative bacteria to fireweed extracts was found. A strong antibacterial effect was recorded for Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Micrococcus luteus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii including multi-drug resistant strains. E. angustifolium extract might find practical application as an antimicrobial in wound healing, components of cosmetic products for human and animals, or as food preservatives.

Soil salinity is one of the particularly important environmental factors, which limits the growth and development of plants, reduces the amount of crops and causes serious economic damage. The study found that Festuca arundinacea can be successfully used for the management and bioremediation of saline habitats, and it is characterized by a very well-developed root system and an average high biomass production of approx. 14.8 Mg∙ha−1, which can be used for industrial applications. Tall fescue biomass from soils with different levels of salinity was used to obtain bioethanol using 1.5% NaOH pretreatment and for the process of simultaneous enzymatic hydrolysis and ethanol fermentation (SSF). It was found that the content of Na+ ions in the tall fescue biomass had no significant effect on the amount of ethanol obtained (the average 19.32 g∙100 g−1 of raw material). F. arundinacea biomass was also used as a natural filler to obtain green composites using a biodegradable polylactide (PLA) matrix. It has been shown that tall fescue biomass with the lowest sodium content in biomass (approx. 2.5 mg∙g−1) from an area with high saline (above 6 g NaCl∙L−1) has the smallest effect on reducing the tensile and flexural strength of composites. Moreover, the highest value of bioethanol concentration (21.2 g∙100 g−1 of raw material) for this biomass sample was obtained.

Salvia przewalskii Maxim. is an important Asian medicinal plant. The aim of the study was to investigate the reaction of seeds of this species to the priming and storage temperature. The germination, vigour and health of seeds were determined for untreated and osmoprimed diaspores, after harvest and 12 months of storage at 4 and 16°C. The seeds were primed in the polyethylene glycol (PEG) water solution with an osmotic potential of –0.8 and –1.1 MPa. It has been found that osmopriming of non-stored and stored seeds strongly reduced the time of germination. One-year storage of seeds both at 4 and 16°C caused statistically significant increase of the total number of germinating seeds, germination energy and capacity. The highest germination rate was found at the seeds stored at 16°C and primed with –0.8 MPa PEG solution.

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of baicalein or Scutellaria baicalensis root extract interaction with methyldopa in pregnant spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) at the pharmacodynamic, molecular, and biochemical levels. The rats, after confirming pregnancy, received baicalein (200 mg/kg/day, p.o.) and extract (1000 mg/kg/day, p.o.), in combination with methyldopa (400 mg/kg/day; p.o.), for 14 consecutive days, 1 h before blood pressure and heart rate measurements. In the heart and placenta from mothers after giving birth to their offspring, mRNA expression of factors related to inflammatory processes (TNF-α, Il-1β, IL-6) and vascular diseases (TGF-β, HIF-1α, VEGF, PlGF) was measured. Levels of markers of oxidative stress (superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde) in the placenta and indicators of myocardial damage (troponin cTnC and cTnI, creatine kinase, myoglobin, and lactate dehydrogenase) in the heart were also assessed. Baicalein co-administered with methyldopa was associated with reduced blood pressure, especially during the first three days. The interactions were more pronounced for such factors as TGF-β, HIF-1α, VEGF, and PlGF than TNF-α, Il-1β, and IL-6. Combined application of baicalein and extract with methyldopa may be of value in the development of a new antihypertensive medication intended for patients suffering from preeclampsia or pregnancy-induced hypertension.